Before You GoSample

Embracing a Culture and Its Bathroom

“Wow, the dogs in this country are sure mangy looking,” one visitor said in the presence of a national who understood English.

“Do people here just not care about litter?” I heard a team member say on another trip in a similar setting.

Imagine your team arriving at a remote village destination after hours in the van. “Visitors! Here!” is the cry of the astonished residents, but after the long ride, most of the mission team needs to find a bathroom before any ministry can happen. The villagers offer you their best bathroom, but for the next fifteen minutes, they hear various team members team giggling to each other, crying “Eww!” while holding their noses at the unpleasant smell.

Do you think those villagers will want to hear your message now? Sorry, the opportunity was lost.

It may sound ridiculous, but it happens all the time: missionaries offend hosts over trivial differences in lifestyle, closing the door to effective ministry.

You can handle that bathroom! Toughen up! Keep your mouth closed! Short-term inconveniences can be endured. You can go two weeks without your favorite breakfast, junk food, and a nice bed. It’s not a time to stretch the host country or host church’s dress code by wearing clothes they might find offensive. It’s not the time for “where we live” or “at our church.” After all, it’s not that your home church or culture is better than the one you are visiting; it’s just different. While there, you are the person that’s different.

Smile silently through any unpleasant differences, look for things to honor and be thankful for, and vocally embrace the culture (which opens doors to the gospel). Enjoy the journey!

Go Further: What does it mean to honor and recognize that culture is different from, but not worse or better than, yours? If you accept another culture’s differences without complaint, how will that help people be more open to your message?

Prayer: Father, set a watch on the door of my mouth on this mission. You have placed qualities within this new culture, so give me eyes to see that treasure so I might honor the people You send me to. Make me a pure, humble channel of Your truth and love. By Your grace, I will humble myself and look out for their needs rather than focus on my own.